Butte County unemployment rate dips in February, as normal

CHICO — Butte County's unemployment rate for February fell, as is the pattern.

According to the state, 11.7 percent of the workforce was jobless, meaning there were more than 11,900 people without work in Butte County that month.

January's unemployment rate was 12.6 percent, according to the state Employment Development Department.

There was still good news, with more jobs and more people at work.

Liz Bosley, labor market analyst for Butte County, said the numbers are higher, but not as high as a 23-year range that the state keeps.

"We look better in the year-over and month-over numbers (for February), but not quite where they should be on the 23-year average."

She noted public education employment normally adds 700 jobs as the new semester gets established, but only added 200 this time.

She noted there were more working in construction, which is a good sign for the economy. Jobs were also added in educational and health services, and leisure and hospitality — two strong areas for Butte County.

"We've been so fortunate that the weather is beautiful so construction can get started."

In Glenn County, the unemployment rate was 14.6 percent, down from 15.5 percent. There were more than 1,860 residents without jobs.

A drop was also experienced in Tehama County, where the jobless rate was 13.3 percent, down from 13.8 percent. There were more than 3,360 people without work.

California's unemployment rate was 9.7 percent, down from 10.4 in January.